Monday, December 1, 2008

UA to make Ray Winder bid SURVEY

The calling of a special UA Board meeting today indicates the university will make a proposal for use of the Ray Winder Field property. The city has set a deadline today for redevelopment of the former minor league baseball park. Some baseball fans want to retain the rundown facility as a baseball field for youth sports. The best idea is from the Little Rock Zoo. It would take the land for expansion of the landlocked and popular facility for adequate grounds for an elephant breeding program. UA, believe it or not, is about to run out of room to expand UAMS, so presumably its idea is to use the property in that context.

What do I have against baseball? Nothing. But LR already struggles to maintain existing baseball facilities. The minor league park is a dump waiting to happen. It's far more of a facility than youth baseball needs. It also would lie fallow much of the year. If we are to have a zoo worthy of the name -- and the city seems committed to that over the long haul -- it needs more space. It would produce the most enjoyment for the most people, a worthy park goal.

But if none of that works out, I renew my vote for razing the field and installing a track for recreational use and the UALR track team. And certain senior walkers/discus throwers.

Summary of four proposals received Monday on the jump. Also, at the end, the summary of one of the baseball proposals.

The City ofLittle Rock received four responses to the RFP (request for proposals) for future uses of Ray Winder Field. The deadline to respond was 4:00 pm on Monday, December 1.

A review committee will be appointed by Little Rock City Manager Bruce T. Moore in the next ten days. Following a review of the proposals, a recommendation from the committee is expected in January 2009.

Responses were submitted from (in alphabetical order):

American League –Creation of a baseball youth league, a fitness camp, and an amateur baseball league for adults. American League is a non-profit based in Central Arkansas and is not affiliated with the American League of Major League Baseball.

Arkansas Zoological Foundation – Expansion of the Little Rock Zoo by creation of an Asian habitat. The existing structure would be adapted to fit the Zoo’s future needs for new amenities, education, and support spaces.

Ray Winder Field Foundation -- Use by amateur baseball, high school baseball, senior men’s baseball, and college athletics. In addition, future plans would include amateur baseball tournaments, college baseball tournaments, concerts, and special events.

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences – Abate all hazardous materials, demolish the existing improvements, and use the property for parking while holding for future UAMS facility expansion.

FROM THE RAY WINDER FIELD FOUNDATION

Plan For Ray Winder Field

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR SELECT CITY OF LITTLE ROCK OFFICIALS

Facility owned by the city of Little Rock.

Lease agreement for the portion of land owned by the state would be in place.

Ray Winder Foundation Inc. would work with the city of Little Rock to operate the facility.

_______________________

Clients:

1. Three Little Rock School District baseball teams would play some games there -- Little Rock McClellan Magnet High School, Little Rock Hall High School and Little Rock Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School.

2. Little Rock Catholic High School for Boys would call the park home.

3. Arkansas Baptist College would call the park home for the baseball team it is forming.

4. American Legion baseball teams would use the park.

5. Junior Deputy League would use the park for Babe Ruth baseball games.

5. Central Arkansas Men's Senior Baseball League would use the facility.

6. Selected outdoor concerts would produce revenue for the park.

7. Park would be rented out for picnics/parties on the days of the two University of Arkansas Razorback football games to produce additional revenue.

8. Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau and its new sports arm could promote the facility in its quest for various tournaments in the city.

9. The Ray Winder Foundation Inc. would bid on state baseball tournaments from the Arkansas Activities Association.

M.L. King Day: The open lines and a roundup of headlines and comment.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has made several public appearances today as part of the observance of King Day and his remarks have included lauding the state's 2017 action (and his own) in ending the dual observance of King's birthday with that of a man who fought to preserve slavery, Robert E. Lee. I have one brief observation on his remarks:

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